I'm Available, I Have No Reason To Run Away! Ofwono Opondo Fires Back At Gen Muhoozi, Denies Fleeing Uganda Over Arrest Fears, Says He Is On Official Parliament Work

Government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo has dismissed claims that he fled Uganda after reportedly attracting the attention of Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba over his recent remarks concerning the country's political succession debate.

Opondo responded after Muhoozi reportedly suggested that he had become frightened of possible arrest and escaped into exile following their public disagreement. The former Uganda Media Centre executive director has, however, rejected the claims, insisting that he remains in the country on official duties.

Taking to social media, Opondo directly challenged Muhoozi's account, explaining that his absence was connected to parliamentary engagements rather than any attempt to escape arrest or government authorities.

"I have not #FLED +256. Am out on official Parliament work, and will return on schedule when my engagements are complete. There's absolutely no reason for me to flee my country and government," Opondo wrote.

The exchange follows disagreements between the two over comments concerning who should succeed President Yoweri Museveni in the country's top political office. Opondo reportedly declined to apologise over his remarks despite the controversy surrounding his position.

Muhoozi's comments about Opondo's whereabouts subsequently added another dimension to the disagreement, turning what began as a political exchange into a public debate about whether the government spokesperson had left the country because of fears of arrest.

Opondo's latest response suggests that he is determined to dismiss the exile narrative, maintaining that his movements are connected to official responsibilities and that he intends to return once his engagements are completed.

The public exchange has attracted attention because it involves two prominent figures within Uganda's political and government establishment, with their disagreement exposing differing positions on the sensitive question of political succession and the country's future leadership.